Effect of Shoe Cushioning Position and Properties on Running-related Injury Risk

Launched by LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTE OF HEALTH · Apr 23, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how different cushioning in running shoes affects the risk of injuries for recreational runners. Researchers want to find out if softer shoe materials can help prevent injuries better than stiffer ones, and whether the cushioning under the front of the shoe matters independently from the back. They are also looking at how a runner's weight and their feelings about shoe comfort relate to injury risk.

To participate, you need to be between 18 and 65 years old, be willing to wear specific study shoes for all your running sessions, and use a sports watch to track your running data. You’ll receive a pair of running shoes with different cushioning materials and will fill out some questionnaires about your running and any aches or pains you experience over a six-month period. This study will help us understand how shoe design can impact runners’ health and safety.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged between 18 and 65 years
• • Willing to use the study shoes for each running training session, and only for running activities
• • Use a sports watch for training data recording
• • Accept to give access to running data via a Garmin Connect, Polar Flow or Suunto account, or accept to upload the GPX file (downloaded from another system) into the electronic system "STRIDE" for every running session
• • Signed electronic Informed Consent provided
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Women who are pregnant
• • Any contraindication to running training including cardiovascular/respiratory disease or running impeding injury/condition at the time of initial inclusion;
• • A history of surgery to the lower limbs or the lower back within the previous 12 months or any degenerative conditions;
• • The use of orthopedic insoles for physical activity;
• • Any running injury (a physical pain or complaint related to running practice that causes the runner to interrupt or modify his/her training for at least one week) over the last month.
• • No limitation will be set regarding running experience, running level (performance), body mass or body mass index.